Pastor Confesses to Kidnapping and Murdering 8 Year Old Attending His Bible Camp

 

David Zandstra / Gretchen Harrington / Photos courtesy of the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office

By Jessica Eturralde - Posted at Ministry Watch:

Published July 25, 2023

Nearly 50 years after the skeletal remains of a missing 8-year-old girl were found, a pastor confessed to police that he kidnapped and killed her.

Authorities charged former pastor David Zandstra, 83, of Marietta, Georgia, on Monday with criminal homicide, murder of the first, second, and third degree, and kidnapping of a minor.

According to the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s office, on August 15, 1975, Gretchen Harrington left her home at approximately 9:30 a.m. to walk to her summer Bible camp in Marple, Pennsylvania. The camp was conducted between two church campuses—Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reform Church and The Reformed Presbyterian Church next door. Zandstra was the pastor of Trinity, and Gretchen’s father was the pastor of Reformed Presbyterian.

Zandstra led opening exercises at Trinity, and was sometimes responsible for transporting the children to Reformed Presbyterian at around 10 a.m. for the next part of camp.

The statement said the victim’s father became concerned after she failed to appear at Reformed Presbyterian with the other children.

Continue here.

See also:

• Retired pastor confesses to killing fellow pastor’s daughter | U.S. News (christianpost.com)
• Officials Charge Retired CRC Pastor In 1975 Cold Case Murder Of Delco 8-Year-Old (theaquilareport.com)
• Officials arrest and charge retired pastor in 1975 cold case murder of Delco 8-year-old – NBC10 Philadelphia (nbcphiladelphia.com)
• District Attorney Stollsteimer Announces Charges in the 1975 Murder of Eight-Year-Old Gretchen Harrington - Delaware County District Attorneys Office (delcoda.com)